Pipe layout tool



" o. P. PARSONS Dec. 12, 1950 PIPE LAYOUT TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 21, 1946 w? 0/9/6 Z? Far-mafia I g4? Dec. 12, 1950 o. P. PARSONS 2,533,500

PIPE LAYOUT TOOL Filed Feb. 21, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 '54 o o o o o o 0 II 0 j 0 0/33 0 I I 0 III 0 o /ZZ' o 7/ II 0 O 4) o 0 I 77 77 75 0 00 6/ Ala/O 79 5 O O O o 0 9 O 0 0 O I I- O 0 0 0 III 5 1 67 f2 0 I o 0 0 o fiflI o/l f*' l o o I IT 0 f2 70 97 0 Q I T II o J! I III II I I I I |I I F l jive/afar- I H g ll l I' II LII I I I I I I l l I I I: II I II II '2 ILLILILI ULLJJU II IIIIIII Jflorrzqys Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE LAYOUT TOOL Opie P. Parsons, Charleston, W. Va. Application February 21, 1946, Serial No. 649,274 Claims (01. 33-175) This invention relates to pipe lay-out tools, and more particularly to such a tool adapted for the markingof and forming patterns for non-planar intersections of piping and similar devices.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved tool which may be utilized for the lay-out of appropriate apertures in piping or the like, and from which a pattern for the shape of an intersecting pipe may be readily made.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device which may be utilized for a relatively large variety of sizes of pipes without material adjustment thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a device including a plurality of adjustable rods, and means whereby the spreading of the rods in the use of the device is substantially precluded.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device having an integral protractor and level, whereby accuracy of alignment is assured.

A still further object of the device is the provision of a centering pin, whereby absolute accuracy of the work performed on, is thereby substantially assured.

Still other objects reside in the provision of such a device which is sturdy and durable in con- Other objects will in part be obvious and in partbe pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.=

In the drawings: Figure 1' is a side elevational view of one form of the device embodying features of this invention shown as applied to a pipe to be marked,

plurality of parallel discs III, II, I2, [3 and I4. The discs are secured in related assembly, as by tie bolts I5, provided with heads I6, and secured in position, as by nuts II. Spacer sleeves I8 are provided between discs I3 and I4, and additional spacer sleeves I9 are provided between discs I2 and I3 to assure the relative fixed related assembly of the parts. Further spacer sleeves 20 are provided between discs I0 and I2, the disc -II being mounted, as by means of suitable arcuate slots (not shown) for relatively slight rotationwith respect to the other discs for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

Aligned centrally disposed apertures in each disc accommodate a sleeve 25 interiorly threaded, as at 26, through which extends a rod 21 terminating, as at 28, in a centering pin for the apparatus. The rod 2'! may be provided with a suitable traveler nut, whereby rotation of a nut 29 at the upper extremities thereof beyond the plate I!) serves to move the point 28 to a desired location, in accordance with the setting of the device.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that each of the discs I0 to I4, inclusive, is provided With a plurality of concentric circles of spaced apertures, each of the circles being of a different diameter, the innermost circle being comprised of a plurality of apertures 30 surrounded concentrically by circles of apertures 3|, 32, 33 and 34, each defining a circle of a different diameter in conformity to a conventional pipe size. It is to be noted that the axial rows of apertures as defined by the dotted lines A--A and B--B (see Fig. 2) are located at an angle of exactly with respect to each other to facilitate the accurate location of the parts laid out during assembly. In accordance with the diameter of the pipe to be fitted, rods 35 terminating in pointed tips 36 are inserted in each aperture of the appropriate circle and adjusted in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

The uppermost disc I3 and the lowermost disc I4 are each provided with a laterally extending projection 3'! and 38, respectively, between which projections is secured a supportin frame 39 carrying a protractor 40 provided with a conventional level 4|, whereby accurate setting of the device inany desired angle is assured. Suitable screws 42, as best shown in Figure 2, may be employed to secure the frame 39 in appropriate position. An adjusting screw 43 is similarly provided for suitable adjustment of the protractor.

As best shown in Figure 1, a supporting member is provided for the device and comprises a tubular member 50 terminating at its upp r end, I

3 in a bifurcated portion 5| comprising strips pivotally secured, as by nuts 52, to pivots 53 secured to reinforcing members 54 carried by the uppermost disc ID. The tubular member 50 is bent or inclined at an appropriate angle, as best seen in Figure 1, and contains a slidably mounted second tubular member 55 telescopically therein, the position of which and the adjustment of which may be determined by aset screw 56 mounted in a suitable bushing-ifii in the sideof tubular member 50. Tubular member 55 is correspondingly provided with a bushing 58 and a set screw 59, and in turn has a rod 60 telescoped therein, vthe lower end of which terminates in a point 61 which comprises the extremity of the support. .It will thus be seen that a relatively wide adjustment both of the position and the length of-the support may be readily accomplished in accordance with the positioning of the device on the pipe to be opera ed pon- Ref n now to the m ans .for lockin the rods .35 in adjusted positions, th purpose of which will be more ,fully pointed out hereinafter. each ithe discs 40 and 42 is provided witha laterally extending portion .65 and 56, respectively, to which ar secured the le s 6.1 and 8, respectively, of a -,clamp ing bracket-9, provided with a centrall disposed threaded aperture in alignmen with the ,disc i through which .passesa lookingscrew Ill. The eXtremityof the'locking scr w 1 :15 adap d to abut an extending hortion H of the disc H, in such manner that rotation of the locking-screw 1.0 serves to rotate the ,disc H by virtue .of the 'arcuate slots H previously described, and cause the apertures of the a pronniatero h rein to bear tishtlyiagainst the slides f-the ,rods .35 thus holding the rods securely in aligned position against displacement.

The upper portion of the projection 5.5 is provided with a pair of upstanding lugs'lt Land .16, respectively, between which is mounted a conventional level ll carried by .a pin 13 extending hrough suita le apertures in the lugs "15 and 16,. and ,held in position, as by aspring 19.. The level 1;! includes a lon itudinal level 711a and .a cross level H1). The purpose ,of the level ll is to permit the accurate alignment of the device with a pine or anysu-itable suriace while setting up for the pattern to be .cut in a manner to be described hereinaiter. The level H is mounted on the .disc U radially thereof and of the centenng pin sleeve25. This arrangement positions the cross leve 1 on a radial plan of the disc a d he longitudinal level .lla in a plane parallel to 'a plane tang ntial to the disc ll. Also, the cr s level Il'lb is in alignment with the transverse center line defined by the radial row of apertures A. A. The level '11 is .adapted to be turned on its pins 18 whereby to level the longitudinal level 11a. Leveling of the cross level T11) is accomplished by rotating the assembly of discs with the centering pin '28 as an aXis.

"Referring now to Figure 1, the operation of the device'ior laying out an opening in a horizontal pipe or workpiece 80 comprises setting the protractor 40 at the angle at which the branch pipe is to extend from the main pipe 89 and locking said protractor by means of the screw 43,. The centering pin 28 is now applied to the workpiece at the center point of the desired opening in the workpiece 80. A coarse adjustment of the support is now "made by means of the thumb screw 56 and the telescopecl tube 55. At the same time the thumb screw '59 for the fineadiustme-nt rod 60 is now loosened. Meanwhile. the-rods '55 may 4 be retracted or at least held loosely in the assembly of discs. It is understood moreover, that the rods 35 have been inserted in a circle appropriate to the diameter of the branch pipe to be applied to the main pipe 80. The assembled tool is now rotated on the axis of the centering pin 28 until the cross level 11b registers level. During this operation the fine adjustin point 6| of the fine adjustingqrod 60 is :in engagement with the work and when the-cross level lib registers level such point 6| will be longitudinally aligned with the centering pin 28 on the center line of the workpiece 89. The assembled tool is now raised or lowered until the protractor level 4| registers level. At this time the fine adjustment thumb .screw .59 may be tightened to lock the support '50 in proper angular relation to the workpiece 5.1. 'At this time, also, the level Tl may be rotated on the pin 18 to level the longitudinal level Illa. f-Qbviously, th longitudinal levelilzl-a will agree with the level M ,of the protractor .10..

However, by providing alonstudinal and cross level together, the operator can readily reset the tool on a workpiece 8 at the proper .zmgle .and'

with the pins 28 and 61 in longitudinal align mentwith the center iline of the workpiece without reierring again to the level 41-! of the protractor. plurality of openings must be cut in a workpiece in-at the sam vertical angle relative thereto. The rods 35 are now projected into engagement withthe surface of the workpiece 8D and lockedby means of the thumbi-screw'l-fl.

After all the points 36 have been arranged in point contact the surfaceofthe pipe .8ll,,'the

lockingscrew lil isturned, rotatingthe :plate I L,

and securely fixingthe rodinpositien to mark the aperture to be cut. Chalkor other suitable material may then be utilized to draw a line 4H extending about the space defined by the circle of points .35.. This aperture may then he cutout and is ready for the application of the intersecting pipe thereto. The device is then removed from in pipe, and a paper'pattern 82., as bestshown in ,Figure 3, is positioned around the point and suitably cut to conform to the circle defirkediefl' he plurality of points. The paper 22 maybe held .inplace, as by a rubber band 83; a string. or similar device. After the pattern has been it be readily understpodthat it may be :re-

moved, and, as best shown'in Figure 4, applied.

about thepine to be fitted 185, whereupon the pipe- 8:5 may be suitably in accordance with the pattern, thus insuring a fit of extreme accuracy between the aperture dirt int/heroine 2) and the.

device-"may be advantageously utilized for the lay- 1 out of pipe intersections with vessel surfaces, such asbranc hes or openings in'ttanzks .or {OI-17116385 out of the intersection 'of thelcomponentslo-f ves sels, such as domes on boilers or the like.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein providedanimproveddevice ofthe character described which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, includ in many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments maybe made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made of the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be under-stood that all mat-- is an obvious advantage when a ter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a pipe layout tool, the combination with a plurality of rods, mounting means mounting said rods to define a circle, said rods being individually and longitudinally adjustable in said mounting means, and locking means for looking all of said rods in adjusted positions; of a work piece engaging centering pin carried by said first named means axially of said rods, means for adjusting said centering pin longitudinally independently of said rods, levellin means carried by sair mounting means, said levelling means including a first level and a second level, said first level being adjustable to level the same when said centering pin is engaged with a work piece at a predetermined angle, and said second level extending radially of said centering pin and being adapted to be leveled by rotation of said mounting means.

2. In a pipe layout tool, the combination with a plurality of rods, mounting means mounting said rods to define a circle, said rods being individually and longitudinally adjustable in said mounting means, and locking means for locking all of said rods in adjusted positions; of a work piece engaging centering pin carried by said first named means axially of said rods, means for adjusting said centering pin longitudinally independently of said rods, levelling means carried by said mounting means, said levelling means including a first level and a second level, said first level being adjustable to level the same when said centering pin is engaged with a work piece at a predetermined angle, said second level extending radially of said centering pin and being adapted to be leveled by rotation of said mounting means, a work piece engaging supporting member carried by said mounting means and positioned in aligned relation with said centering pin at right angles to the plane of said second level, and said supporting member being longitudinally adjustable.

3. In a pipe layout tool, the combination with a plurality of rods, mounting means mounting said rods to define a circle, said rods being individually and longitudinally adjustable in said mounting means, and lockin means for looking all of said rods in adjusted positions; of a work piece engaging centering pin carried by said first named means axially of said rods, means for adjusting said centering pin longitudinally independently of said rods, levelling means carried by said mounting means, said leveling means including a first level and a second level, said first level being adjustable to level the same when said centering pin is engaged with a work piece at a predetermined angle, said second level extending radially of said centering pin and being adapted to be leveled by rotation of said mounting means, a work piece engaging supporting member carried by said mounting means and positioned in aligned relation with said centering pin at right angles to the plane of said second level, said supporting member being longitudinally adjustable, an adjustable protractor fixedto said mounting means radially of said centering pin whereby said pin may be engaged with a work piece at a predetermined vertical angle, and said protractor including third level cooperating with said first level and said second level.

4. In a pipe layout tool, the combination with a plurality of rods, mounting means mounting said rods to define a circle, said rods being individually and longitudinally adjustable in said mounting means, and locking means for looking all of said rods in adjusted positions; of a work piece engaging centering pin carried by said first named means, means for adjusting said centering pin longitudinally independently of said rods, a level carried by said mounting means radially of said centering pin, said level being adapted to be leveled by rotation of said mounting means, a work piece engaging supporting member, said workpiece engagin supporting member being carried by said mounting means and positioned in aligned relation with said centering pin at right angles to the plane of said level, and said supporting member being longitudinally adjustable.

5. In a pipe layout tool, the combination with a plurality of rods, mounting means mounting said rods to define a circle, said rods being individually and longitudinally adjustable in said mounting means, and locking means for locking all of said rods in adjusted positions; of a work piece engaging centering pin carried by said first named means axially of said rods, means for adjusting said centering pin longitudinally independently of said rods, a first level carried by said mounting means radially of said centering pin, said first level being adapted to be leveled byrotation of said mounting means, a work piece engaging supporting member, said work piece engaging supporting member being carried by said mounting means and positioned in aligned relation with said centering pin at right angles to the plane of said first level, said supporting member being longitudinally adjustable, an adjustable protractor fixed to said mounting means radially of said centering pin, said protractor including second level, said protractor, levels, centering pin and supporting member comprising means for setting said tool on a work piece at a predetermined vertical angle with said centeringpin and support longitudinally aligned with a center line of a work piece.

OPIE P. PARSONS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 397,132 Kimball Feb. 5, 1889 657,443 Newton Sept. 4, 1900 866,866 Jottrand Sept. 24, 1907 1,589,527 Hallman June 22, 1926 1,991,117 Porteus Feb. 12, 1935 2,380,919 Bugenhagen Aug. 7, 1945 I FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 75,642 Austria Feb. 25, 1919 

